Please view the Timetable for Scheduling Committee Meetings & Document Due Dates here.
Dear Pre-Cohort Learners:
I am writing to you today regarding a significant aspect of the Pre-Cohort doctoral program at Union Institute & University.
As you know, the university has been working with the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR) for the past five years. Our work with the Regents has focused on one clear goal: to support the scholarship of Union learners in the doctoral program. As a part of that goal, the university has worked closely with the OBR monitor in the review of learners’ comprehensive degree plans (CDPs), committee assignments, and projects demonstrating excellence (PDEs). The monitoring process was established in 2005 for a three-year period. I am happy to report that, after a recent assessment of the university’s progress, the Regents have recommended that the external monitoring come to an end, effective June 30, 2008.
Those of you who have experienced the dean’s review process know that it currently consists of two separate reviews: the internal dean’s review (utilizing content experts hired by the university) and the external dean’s review (supervised by OBR). The Regent’s decision to end monitoring means that review of learner documents will now rest solely with the university, which will have total responsibility to ensure the quality of each document.
What are the implications for learners?
- First, it is important to note that Union Institute & University will maintain the same criteria for quality of work required by the OBR monitor during the past three years. Learner documents will be rigorously reviewed for depth of scholarship and quality of research, and committees will be assessed for the level of expertise demonstrated by adjunct faculty members.
- The dean’s office will continue to conduct reviews by our internal readers, as that process has been shown to be a significant contributor to learner success.
- The dean’s office will continue to adhere to recommendations made to learners through past OBR review processes and all learners will be expected to thoroughly address the requirements used by OBR for any CDP, PDE, or faculty nomination.
- Learners should expect a shortened timetable for the dean’s review process. However, it will become increasingly important for learners to adhere to the 60-day-advance notice for the scheduling of all committee meetings. This 60-day requirement has been part of the calendar for approval of meetings, as it allows 30 days for feedback from the second core and another 30 days to approve travel requests. Please find attached the schedule that will be required for all learners who are scheduling certification or program review meetings in the next 12 months.
- For the period between now and June 30, we will complete a phase-out plan that has been approved by OBR. Please continue to forward documents to us in a timely manner. The dean’s office will complete the appropriate review process per our agreement with OBR.
I hope you’ll agree that this is very good news for all concerned. . Our faculty and staff, and you, our learners, have all worked hard to implement and demonstrate a quality doctoral program that will serve you well. We look forward to continuing our service to each of you as you work to complete your program. Should you have specific questions on this change in the dean’s review process, please direct them to PhdProgramRep@tui.edu.
With best regards,
Richard S. Hansen, Ph.D
Provost
Please view the Timetable for Scheduling Committee Meetings & Document Due Dates here.